Louis Graner Obituary

Graner
Louis "Mel" Graner
January 16, 1930
July 2, 2025

In Loving Memory of Louis Melvin "Mel" Graner
January 16, 1930 - July 2, 2025
When someone lives beyond 95 years, they witness and contribute to a remarkable stretch of history. They see and do extraordinary things, and if they're lucky, they live a life filled with purpose, joy, and love. That's exactly how Mel's family remembers him.
Louis Melvin Graner—known simply as Mel to friends and loved ones—was born on January 16, 1930, in Atchison, Kansas. He passed away peacefully on July 2, 2025, in Loveland, Colorado, leaving behind a legacy of music, service, family, and community. There were many things that Mel dearly loved in his life, and the more notable would be his family, good food, red wine, music, dancing, his pipe, music, popcorn, and we can't forget to mention coffee.
Mel was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Anna Louise Graner; his beloved wife of over 50 years, Mary Beth Graner; and his son, Brian Graner. He is lovingly survived by his daughter, Tracie Graner; his son, Bruce Graner and daughter-in-law Renee Graner; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Mandee (Kevin) Wright, Luke (Amy) Graner, Whitney Tidwell, Joshua Graner, Kade Graner, Chance Trujillo, Paige Graner, Harlan Tidwell, and Griffin Tidwell.
Raised on the family farm, Mel's strong work ethic and deep connection to the land remained with him throughout his life. He graduated from Atchison Community High School in 1947, where his love for music was sparked as a member of the marching band. That passion continued as he attended Emporia State Teachers College, graduating in 1953.
That same year, Mel married Mary Beth and began a lifelong journey of education, music, and family. After teaching in Kansas for several years, he moved to Colorado, where he earned his Master's degree and planted roots that would grow deep. In 1953, while serving in the U.S. Army, Mel had a chance encounter with a fellow soldier that led to his recruitment into the Army marching band. He was stationed in Austria until returning home in 1955.
Mel retired from teaching in 1983 and pursued a dream—he purchased and renamed a local music store, Graner School Music. Under his leadership, the store became a cornerstone of the local music community, serving schools and musicians across the region. Though Mel sold the store in 2009, it still bears his name—a lasting tribute to the impact he had on generations of music lovers.
After retiring, Mel remained active, both musically and socially. He joined the Shriners Hospital and continued either as a director or by playing baritone and trombone in several bands well into his 90s, including the Shiners Parade Band, the Canyon Winds Concert Band, the Shriners Hospital Dixieland Band, and the Shriners Hospital Jazz Band.
For the last nine years of his life, Mel shared companionship and joy with Janet Seeger, his dear partner.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, Mel was a standout baseball player in his youth and later became a loyal fan of the Sky Sox and the Denver Broncos. He loved gardening, cultivating a productive plot of land in the heart of Colorado Springs. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing with his children and grandchildren—memories that will be cherished forever.
One of Mel's proudest family projects was purchasing a condemned motel, which he and his sons carefully dismantled over a summer. Using the salvaged materials, they spent the following years building a cherished family cabin at Indian Springs—a true labor of love.
Mel Graner lived a full, meaningful life defined by music, family, hard work, and kindness. His presence will be deeply missed but fondly remembered by all who knew him. Please make any memorial contributions in Mel's name to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Lukes Lutheran Church, 5265 N. Union Blvd, Colorado Springs, on August 23, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. Mel is interred in Loveland, CO at the Loveland Burial Park next to his beloved wife and son. Additional information can be found at the Kibby-Fishburn website: https://www.kibbeyfishburn.com/